Page 2 of Mountain Man's Curvy Girl

Chapter 2

Chloe

The rain’s falling harder now, dropping heavily around me as I make my way through the darkening streets. My heart’s still beating fast from my brief encounter with Ethan outside the hardware store, and it feels like no amount of icy wind can dull the memory.

“Nice weather,” I mutter under my breath, mimicking his gruff small talk from earlier in the day. God, why am I like this? I spent the entire walk replaying his nod when he probably didn’t even think about it twice. But there’s a tiny part of me that keeps hoping. And Mia’s teasing definitely did not help.

Then the power flickers. And my steps falter as I look up at the streetlights. They stutter before going out completely.

“No, no, no, no, no.” I fumble for my phone, but the flashlight does little to pierce the shadows. The town is pitch-black, its cozy atmosphere replaced with thick darkness.

Just as panic starts to creep in, I see the glow of headlights cutting through the storm. And then, thank God, Ethan’s truck comes into view.

“Chloe?” His deep voice carries through the night as he lowers his window, stopping the still running car next to me.

* * *

Ethan

Of course she’s out here, in the middle of this mess, looking like she’s in a goddamn movie. She’s shivering. Her face, damp from the rain, her dark hair spilling from her hat and tangled around her scarf. So fucking pretty she makes my heart hurt. But I also want to wring her neck for being this reckless. Out here, alone, in this weather. Fuck!

“Chloe!” I roar, pulling the truck to her side.

She turns to me, her almond-shaped eyes widening.

“Get in,” I command, already stepping out to open the door for her. “Now.”

She hesitates for a second—just long enough to make me growl under my breath—before climbing in. I slam the door behind her; the wind slicing through me as I circle back to the driver’s side.

“Thank you,” she says in her soft voice as I crank up the heat. She’s clutching the blanket I keep in the cab, her small frame practically swallowed by the seat.

“You shouldn’t be out here,” I grumble. “Where were you going?”

“Home,” she responds, her gaze fixed on her hands. “It’s not that far.”

“It’s too far in this storm,” I snap, gripping the wheel tightly. “You’re staying with me until it clears.”

* * *

Chloe

Say what?! Stay with him?!! My brain stutters, tripping over his words. Ethan doesn’t even look at me when he says them, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like I’m his responsibility.

“I—I couldn’t impose,” I stammer, feeling hot all over

“You’re not,” he replies, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ooookay then. Guess that’s settled.

The truck is silent except for the sound of the heater and the whoosh of the storm outside. Ethan’s presence is so overwhelming, I can’t stop stealing glances at him. His set jaw, his big hands gripping the wheel. His scent filling the small space. Laundry detergent, clean sweat, and all man.

“You’re shivering,” he suddenly says, his low voice startling me.

I blink, trying to play it off. “I’m fine—”

“Chloe,” he interrupts firmly.

His hand brushes against mine as he adjusts the blanket on my body, and my breath catches. My heart pounds as he turns to look at me, blue-gray eyes dark and unreadable. For a moment, I think he’s going to say something else, but he doesn’t. Just nods, jaw tightening as he turns back to the windshield.

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